Czechia: services for and research among people displaced from Ukraine

Funding call: social services for temporary protection holders

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs launched a call for applications for extraordinary state budget subsidies for social service providers in 2025. The purpose of the subsidy is to cover expenses related to the provision of social care services for temporary protection holders from Ukraine. Eligible services and expenses must be incurred between 1 January and 31 December 2025, and the deadline for application is 31 October 2025.

Amendment to temporary protection legislation for those displaced from Ukraine

A 7th amendment was recently introduced to the legislation known as Lex Ukraine, which regulates the stay of holders of temporary protection in Czechia. The amendment extends temporary protection until the end of March 2026 and introduces a special long-term residence permit for people with temporary protection who meet certain requirements. Holders of this permit have free access to the labour market but are not entitled to most non-contributory social benefits. 

In addition the amendment stipulates that most Russian citizens applying for Czech citizenship must renounce their Russian citizenship. It also significantly increases the humanitarian grant available for people displaced from Ukraine who have disabilities.

New edition of Voice of Ukrainians survey

A recently published report presents findings from the most recent wave of data collection for the ‘Voice of Ukrainians’ survey series, conducted among people displaced from Ukraine living in Czechia. Data collection took place in summer and winter 2024.

Approximately 63% of respondents reported being employed at the time of the survey. 6% said they are self-employed; 9% are on parental leave; 11% are unemployed; 9% are studying. 2% reported that they are retired. Job satisfaction was found to be related to plans to return to Ukraine: among those who said they prefer to continue living abroad, rather than returning to Ukraine, 72% said they are satisfied with their job in Czechia. 

The study also identifies a clear downward trend in the number of displaced people living in host households or mass accommodation facilities as well as a corresponding increase in those living in privately rented housing. Language fluency was found to have significantly improved, with nearly two-thirds of respondents declaring ‘relatively good’ Czech language proficiency (level B1 or higher).

Recommendations on the illegal employment of temporary protection holders

People in Need published a study examining employment practices experienced by Ukrainian holders of temporary protection in Czechia. It finds that despite legally being allowed to access the Czech labour market, this group is disproportionately exposed to exploitative employment practices thanks to the persistence of a ‘shadow labour market’. The study recommends strengthening legal definitions, enforcing pre-employment registration, and limiting the use of short-term contracts such as the DPP (‘Agreement to perform work’) and the DPČ (‘Agreement to complete a job’).

Mapping philanthropic support for displaced people from Ukraine

Over the last 3 years, support for those displaced from Ukraine in Czechia has shifted from emergency humanitarian support to longer-term systemic assistance. A recently published special edition of the Map of Philanthropy, created by the Donors' Forum association, provides a comprehensive overview of the role and actions of foundations and endowment funds in this area.

The mapping shows that nearly half of the philanthropic actors initially involved in delivering support to those affected by the outbreak of war in Ukraine are still providing support today. The most common areas of support include direct material and financial assistance along with support for children’s education and leisure activities.

Additionally, in the last 3 years 40% of Czech people have engaged in the delivery of support to those affected by the war: 75% of this group have provided financial donations, almost 50% have offered material assistance, and 8% have volunteered their time.